Rail

TriMet to send last iconic trolleys to St. Louis

PORTLAND, Ore. — KGW reported that TriMet will lease the last two of Portland’s four old-fashioned trolleys to St. Louis for $80,000.

While critics of the plan said that getting rid of the iconic vehicles is a regrettable choice, the transit agency told the news outlet that with the new MAX Orange Line, set to open in 2015, it doesn’t have the room to run the trolleys anymore and that they will have a better home in St. Louis.

Meanwhile, St. Louis is trying to build a new old-fashioned streetcar loop to help revamp one of its commercial districts.

The trolleys are scheduled to run on the Sundays closest to Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. TriMet expects to ship the vehicles by mid-summer. For the full story, click here.

Economic development within one-half mile of the system has been stimulated by ridership that has exceeded original projections. Valley Metro began compiling development activity since construction started in 2005 as part of an economic development database.

The new bike car contains 14 racks that will provide more room to maneuver bicycles on and off the train. A set of seats were removed from the lower level of the vehicle to make room for the bike racks.